Indicator



Oct. 7, 1930. K, M. MCLAUGHLIN INDICATOR Filed May 14, 195o Patented Oct'. 7, 1930 i UNITED vSTATES PATENTol-FICE KENNETH M. MCLAUGHLIN, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA., ASSIGNOR TO AT WATER KENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F PHILADELPHIA., PENNSYLVANIA, A

CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA INDICATOR l Application filed May 14, 1930. Serial No. 452,198.

My invention relates to indicators and particularly to dial and pointer mechanism for association with the tuningdevices of radio receiving apparatus.

The reading of the indications of the present dials or scales of radio receiving sets for example, requires a substantially fixed position of the operator, or at least decidedly limits his position to one more or less vdirectly in front of the dial. In accordance with my invention, the scale is on a depressed or concave surface generated by revolution of a straight or a curved line and specifically on the interior of a conical member parallel with the base of the cone which affords close or exact reading of the entire scale While permitting wide latitude inthe position of the operator.

My invention further resides in the features of construction and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for illustration of one of the forms which it may take reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1y is a side elevational view `in section and with parts broken away of a tuning control for a radiov receiver.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail view'on reduced scale and in front elevation of the scale shown in Figs. land 2. l

Fig. 4 is a side section ofthe scale taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3. j

Upon the `end shaft 1 which may be the operating shaft of a tuning device for radio receivingapparatus, Afor example. the shaft of a variable condenser, which projects throughthe supporting panel :2, is mounted a disk 3, whose periphery is preferably serrated or notched for engagement with the roller 4, of rubber or like material, secured to the hollow s indle 5 rotatably mounted onthe stud shag 6 which projects forwardly of the panel 2. To the outer end of the spindle which projects through the front panel 7 of the radio receivingnapparatus is suitably securedan adjusting ob 8 provided with a recess 9 for receiving a serewlO which threadably engages the end of the stationary stud shaft 6 and the under surface of whose head engages the bottom of the recess 9 to position the adjusting knob.

Upon rotation of the knob 8 the shaft 1 is rotated to effect movement of the rotors of the tuning condensers, for example, to tune radio apparatus for receiving a desired signal.

Visually to indicate the setting or position iof the condenser rotors, a pointer or'index member 11 is suitably attached tothe forward yend of the hub 12 of the disk 3, and cooperates with a scale member 13, prefer- 'ably of transparent or translucent material,

as Celluloid, held in position with respect thereto by the escutcheon plate 14 secured as by screws or rivets 15 to the front panel 7.

The scale member, as shown most clear/ly in Figs. 3 and 4 presents a concave surface to the eye of an operator positioned in front of the panel 7, so that the scale or markings, and thepos'ition of the pointer With respect to the scale is clearly visible through a wide angle, permitting the operator while adjusting the tuning devices by knob 8, to be in any one of many positions as well as directly in front of the scale. Preferably the scale member is a section of a truncated cone, whose axis substantially coincides with the axis of rotation of shaft 1, although it will be understood that it may be a portion 'of a sphere,or any other surface of revolution generated by a straight or curved line. The

vpointer or index 11 extends at right -angles to shaft 1 for some distance and then at its scale onL the inner surface-f said member,

cealing the endof'shaft l and-associated parts.

An elect-ric bulb 21, preferably provided with a reflector 22 and mounted upon a bracket 23, extending forwardly of the panel 2 is positioned in 'back of the scale adjacent an opening or window 24 in the depression 17 of the front panel 7, to illuminate it and to increase the visibility of/tlie graduations, as well as to enhance the appearance of the apparatus generally.

For brevity of the appended claims, it

`shall be understood that the terms cone,

and an arm carried by said shaft terminating in a pointer extending parallel with said inner surfaceand closely adjacent the scale thereon. Y

2. Indicating mechanism comprising a panel havin an opening therein, a coneshaped mein er couver ing rearwardly of said panel and visible trough the opening there1n,ra scale on the inner surface. of said member, a rotatable shaft. disposed behind said panel, and a pointer movable with said shaft and cooperating with said scale.

3. Indica-ting mechanism comprising a panel havin a depression therein, a coneshaped mem r, a plate secured to said panel for holding said member tsaid panel, a scale on the? inner surface of said member visible from the front offs'aid panel,- a rotatable shaft, and a pointer movable therewith disposed within said depression for cooperating `with said scale.

=ner surface of said mein '5o 4. Indicating mechanismy comprising a y f panel having an openin 'therein provided with a Arearwardly exten ngiiange, av coneshaped member, an apertured plate secured to the front of said panel for clamping said member against said flan av scale on the inr visible through the o eningsI `in said plate and panel; a rotatab e shaft, and a pointer movable there-l y.with cooperating with said scale.

' sai a sca e on the inner a rotatable shaft disposed 5.' Indicating panel havin an opening therein, a conesha meme anel and visible through said opening, surface of said meinber,` behind said panel,

. a'pointer movable therewith and cooperating g ment of said shaft'.

with said y scale,

the frontof said. panel; for effecting movemechanisin comprising .a

r positioned to the rear of apertured'plate holding said member against l 'to a tuning element dis sed behind saidl panel, a pointer movable t erewith and cooperating with said scale to indicate the position of said tuning element, and structure projecting through said plate and panel ad- ]acent said scale adjustab e to change the setting of said tuning element.

7. Ijndicatingmechanism for radio receiving apparatus comprising a'panel having an opening therein, apertured supporting structure extending rearwardly of said opening and having a flange contiguous thereto, a translucent cone-shaped scale member Vcarried by said supporting member and extending across the aperture thereof, a plate mounted upon the front of said panel .having an upper rearwardly and downwardly project- .ing langeextending into said panel opemng and a lower rearwardly and upwardly projecting flange extending into said opening ried by said supporting member and extend- 1 ing across the a erture thereof, a plate mounted upon the ont of said panel having a rearwardly and downwardly projecting ange extending into said panel opemng, and a movable pointer passing between said vlan and said supporting structure for cooperation with said scale member.

KENNETH M. MCLAUGHLIN.

'and means adjustablefrom 6. Indicating for radio receiv'- I ing` pparatus comprising a panel haying an opening` therein, ai cone-shaped; member, an

ian 

